Steps to becoming a Registered Dietitian

Hello and welcome to my resource page on the steps I took/the steps I am currently taking to become a registered dietitian! When I was applying to coordinated dietetics programs, I scoured the internet for resources to help me with my decision-making process. My hope is that this page will serve as a resource for all the aspiring RD’s out there!

If I could pass on one piece of advice to fellow career-changers it would be: believe in yourself. No matter your background or experience, if you really want to become a Registered Dietitian, you will find a way. Yes, you will work hard for it and make sacrifices, but I promise that every step is worth it.

⇒ Didn’t find what you were looking for here? Feel free to email me or check out all of my grad school posts here // page updated April 2016

Steps to become a registered dietitian:

first stage // applying to graduate programs

Step 1: Decide what kind of program you want to apply to.

A coordinated program will include the dietetics coursework + the 1200 hours of supervised practice. (Recommended)

A didactic program only includes the dietetics coursework and after receiving a verification statement, the student is able to apply for the dietetic internship separately. The current match rate for dietetic internships is 50%.

In most cases, you don’t have to have all of the courses done before you apply, but they must be done before you start your program. I would recommend taking these in order since they build on one another.

I still needed 7 of these courses when I started the process. It took me 2 years to finish them all – taking 1 or 2 a semester while working fulltime (my classes were online, in the evenings, or on the weekends.)

Step 3: Take the GRE

Standardized tests are not my forte and I found it really difficult to manage studying for classes and the GRE at the same time. I ended up taking the GRE twice and only got a mediocre score both times (although I did improve the second time!) Remember that the GRE is only one component of your application. If it doesn’t go as well as you hope, it’s okay 🙂

Step 4: Visit your top schools, meet with admissions staff, talk to current students, and look at what the program’s alumni are doing with their degrees.